swirl
[ swurl ]
/ swɜrl /
verb (used without object)
to move around or along with a whirling motion; whirl; eddy.
to be dizzy or giddy, as the head.
verb (used with object)
to cause to whirl; twist.
noun
Origin of swirl
1375–1425; late Middle English (north) < Scandinavian; compare Norwegian
svirla; cognate with Dutch
zwirrelen to whirl, German (dial.)
schwirrlen to totter; all < a root
*swir- (whence Danish
svirre to whirl, German
schwirren to whir) +
-l- frequentative suffix
OTHER WORDS FROM swirl
swirl·ing·ly, adverb out·swirl, verb (used with object)Words nearby swirl
Example sentences from the Web for swirl
British Dictionary definitions for swirl
swirl
/ (swɜːl) /
verb
to turn or cause to turn in a twisting spinning fashion
(intr)
to be dizzy; swim
my head was swirling
noun
a whirling or spinning motion, esp in water
a whorl; curl
the act of swirling or stirring
dizzy confusion
Derived forms of swirl
swirling, adjective swirlingly, adverb swirly, adjectiveWord Origin for swirl
C15: probably from Dutch
zwirrelen; related to Norwegian
svirla, German
schwirren